Thursday, April 10, 2014

Potential free agent targets for the Boston Celtics

No doubt the Boston Celtics are rebuilding, big time. But what exactly does this mean? What will the C’s exactly do? Will they seek for trades, try to reshape their roster through the draft or try to find some good fits through the free agency? Let’s examine the latter option and see some potential free agent targets for Danny Ainge and the Celtics.

Brad Stevens And Gordon Hayward

Gordon Hayward
The Celtics certainly need improvements and upgrades in several spots. However, it’s not mostly about where they can improve rather than what they can get this summer. Due to all the big fat contracts the team absorbed through the KG-Paul Pierce trade, the team’s financial flexibility for next season is limited. However, if there is one player the C’s can land in a relatively low price and who has the potential to make the difference, that’s Gordon Hayward. The 24 – year old guard will be a restricted free agent but the Utah Jazz might not just match any offer. The C’s will certainly have a good shot at Hayward. He is one of their most realistic targets but also one of the most capable players that will be available this summer.

Emeka Okafor
The C’s desperately need to find an upgrade at the center spot, or to put it better, they actually need to find a true center. Is Emeka Okafor a one-in all solution? Is he a franchise center? Maybe not. But he could certainly help Boston. Although the 31-year old center didn’t play a single minute this season, due to a severe neck surgery, he could be a low-risk high reward piece in the Celtics’ mix. He is a big sized center and the Celtics desperately need big bodies.

Pau Gasol
Now, don’t get tricked here. Of course, Pau Gasol has had a bunch of problems over the span of the last couple of years. He’s battled through injuries, lack of motivation and performance drops. Nonetheless, he has also proven that he is still a solid power forward. He was the best player active for the Los Angeles Lakers this season after all. For the right price, Gasol would be an excellent fit for Brad Stevens’s group. He could be the mentor for the youngsters the C’s will possess next year.

Jordan Hill
Now, it would be difficult for the C’s to land Jordan Hill. As the Los Angeles Lakers center stated, he doesn't plan to say in LA and hopes to join a better team next season. So, if it’s not for money, why would he decide to take his talents to Boston? That’s where Danny Ainge can work his magic, considering that the Celtics will also add some talent through the talent. Hill could be a nice piece for the C’s.

Anthony Morrow
The Celtics certainly need to find some threats from outside. And what better than to find exactly that in an affordable price? Anthony Morrow is shooting at a 45.8 percent rate from three-point range this season and he has a player option worth $1.1 million next season. He is expected to opt-out and Boston could have a good shot at him.

I'll take Sully over Love. Sully alongside love could be interesting, but Love would have to really commit to playing D. then maybe josh smith as sf? He could give us shotblocking and more of an interior game than Love would give?

Ainge is smart. There I said it. Top 4 pick in the draft (former #4 picks are Westbrook and Chris Paul) and an already top ten player in the league and they will be fine. Backcourt is set for a few years.The one i covet is Serge Ibaka, but that's a pipedream!